Inside SmitKit Studio & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #57

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” -Pablo Picasso

Back in December, I shared a post about some local artists in my small city of Watertown, New York. If you missed that post, I encourage you to read it as it gives some background on these creative minds that are bringing culture and artistic awareness to this tiny little town…Artistic Interpretation & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #49.

*This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Thanks to one local woman, Lindsey Paranzino, many of these young artists now have a place to display and market their work in a quaint little location where she has established SmitKit Studio. Her mission with this studio is “to discover and promote local artists while making art more accessible in our community.” Read the story of Lindsey’s journey which led to her establishing SmitKit Studio.

Meet Lindsey Paranzino, Founder and Owner of SmitKit Studio, Watertown, New York

Housed in an old Victorian home in the heart of Watertown, New York, Lindsey has created a modest studio space where local artists can display their work. She features the crafts of painters, potters, and photographers and is always rotating pieces and inviting new artists so there is sure to be something new every time you visit.

Let’s pop inside for a look around…

“If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.” -Edward Hopper

“Creativity takes courage.” -Henri Matisse

“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” -Andy Warhol

“Great art picks up where nature ends.” -Marc Chagall

“The position of the artist is humble. He is essentially a channel.” -Piet Mondrian

“Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing.” -Salvador Dali

“In art, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can imagine.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

“To be an artist is to believe in life.” -Henry Moore

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” -Edgar Degas

“Whether you succeed or not is irrelevant, there is no such thing. Making your unknown known is the important thing.” -Georgia O’Keeffe

“Life obliges me to do something, so I paint.” -Rene Magritte

“Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it.” -Salvador Dali

“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.” -Ansel Adams

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” -Henry David Thoreau

You can follow SmitKit Studio on Facebook and Instagram to stay abreast of any new artwork that comes in as well as community events hosted by the studio. All of the artwork pictured here is for sale (if it is still available). For details and pricing, please contact SmitKit Studio directly.

Are you artist yourself? Aren’t we all artists in one way or another…just expressing ourselves through a variety of different mediums? Are you inspired by art and the language it speaks? I would love to hear about your art and your interpretations in the comments.

These are amazing art work and I am happy to hear that there is a place where the artists can showcase their talents. What’s worse than being a great artist and not having a chance for the world to see your hard work? Love how you styled your red dress with a brown crocheted poncho. It goes so well together! I hope your week is off to a great start and happy Tuesday!

It’s so nice that you have a place for local artists to display their work in your town! There are some amazing pieces and so diverse! I love that a ceramic artist (my daughter is a ceramic artist) is included as well! It’s nice to be able to purchase functional pieces that are also beautiful! Have a great day!

Suzanne, thanks so much for stopping by! It really is a wonderful addition to our little town. And how cool that your daughter is a ceramic artist! I bet you have a beautiful collection of handmade pieces then. Have a wonderful day.

Thanks so much, Jodie! And oh my goodness, you just made my heart go all aflutter! If you ever visit upstate NY, I will gladly take you all around my little town! A tour of all the places I have featured on my blog! That would be super fun.

Cheryl, I am finding out so many interesting facts about my blogger friends! I love that you minored in art history! That is so cool. And it makes sense as you are clearly very creative. Thanks so much for stopping by. I am so glad you enjoyed this post!

Gail, thank you so much for reading! This was a fun post to write as I found these quotes by famous artists to be quite inspiring! And I do love being surrounded by creative people with creative minds!

What a beautiful idea to house a place to display artists works. I also love all of these quotes from these famous artists that you included. I took about 5 art history classes way back when I went to college and I still love browsing art when I have time. I just love that green shawl/sweater draped over your dress! The colors are beautiful together.

Carrie, thanks so much for stopping by and for the wonderful comment! I love how my non-fashion posts generate such fun responses and I learn more about my blogger friends! I think that is totally cool and interesting that you took that many art history classes in college. That would qualify for a minor in art history, wouldn’t it?!

How fun to have a little “art museum” of sorts right in your town. Really cool. I just knew you were going to say someone had made your sweater at the studio. It’s darling and looks beautiful layered over that dress! XO

Isn’t it a fabulous little place, Lisa? And no, my sweater is store bought! But I do have a local friend who makes the most beautiful crocheted items I have ever seen! I’m sure she could make something even more beautiful than my sweater. In fact, I featured her in this post back in June! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

First.. the outfit. Love the crochet sweater, the olive color is lovely on you. and i love olive with red. long floral dresses are some of my favorites and I love the style on you. Thank you for introducing me to this studio. I love viewing painting and different artwork, and cool you mentioned ‘Piet Mondrian, as I mentioned him talking about color blocking. cool.
Have a great day!
jess xxhttp://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

Jess, thanks so much for this very thoughtful comment! I didn’t think I would like red and olive together, but then I was really digging it once it was all on. I am so glad you enjoyed this post! And I always find it interesting how we bloggers tend to hit the same topics, references, etc. all at the same time! Great minds…

Shelbee Hello!!
the sayings under the images have made me think about creativity and how it all works inside our heads!?
meanwhile back to your outfit, that knit is so pretty, it makes me want to crochet a similar one!!
take care
best wishes
Ashley
xxxx

Ashley, thanks so much for stopping by! Isn’t creativity such a fascinating concept? And we are all creative in our way…sometimes through painting and drawing, others through writing or fashion, and yet others through music or dance. Creativity spans across all people! And if you crochet a similar sweater, I do need to see pictures of it! You fabulously creative woman!

I think art can be such a personal thing, wouldn’t you agree, Shelbee? There certainly are some wonderful (and crazy lol) pieces there in the studio but it looks like an amazing place to visit.
Thank you so much for featuring me again. You’re a star!
hugs
Suzy xxhttp://www.suzyturner.com

Suzy, I agree completely! Some of the pieces really strike me as beautiful and pleasing. Others not so much. But like you said, art is very personal and different pieces appeal to different people. I find it interesting how one artist can produce vastly different genres of work. But then again, don’t we do just that with fashion? I go from trendy, edgy, sassy to vintage to boho to Goth from one day to the next! And thank you for inspiring me! It is always my pleasure to feature my fabulous blogger friends. Have a wonderful day!

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